Monica Washington got defiant, her voice rising as she testified Friday that it was time for LaFonse Dixon Jr. to “man up” and admit his part in the death of Canton resident Celeste Fronsman.

In telling jurors of her role, Washington also pointed the finger at Dixon, the 34-year-old Canton resident on trial for Fronsman’s slaying. She was found beaten and burned along a remote road in Muskingum County on Aug. 26, 2012.

With Dixon looking on stone-faced, Washington said: “LaFonse Dixon was there," she said.

“LaFonse Dixon had a part in what happened to (Fronsman). LaFonse Dixon is not innocent. It’s just time to man up and own up to your part in what happened.”

Moments later, she broke down, her voice shaking, her eyes tear-filled. Washington, after one year and 44 days of sobriety, said she now fully realizes the horrific nature of what she and the others did. Fronsman, 29, was burned over about 70 percent of her body before dying two days later in a hospital.

“I'm willing to accept the punishment that’s given to me, because I was wrong,” she said. “I let people do something to another human being, and I didn't do nothing to stop it.”

“I pray that (my family) still loves me, and Celeste’s family can forgive me for what I’ve done.”

Co-defendants Washington, 25, and Katrina “KC” Culberson, 22, both have pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated murder, aggravated arson and kidnapping. Dixon faces the same charges and could be sentenced to death if convicted.

As part of Washington’s plea deal, the state will recommend serve a life term with the possibility of parole after 25 years. Culberson’s agreement allows her to avoid the death penalty. Both await sentencing.

Testimony will resume at 9 a.m. Monday in Muskingum County Common Pleas Court.

CULBERSON

Dixon and Culberson wanted to kill Fronsman because they suspected she was a snitch for Canton police, Washington said. According to testimony earlier in the week, Dixon was enraged because he believed Fronsman leaked information that led to a police raid at a drug house. Fronsman denied the accusation while she was under attack, Washington said.

For her own part, Washington admitted to being infuriated at Fronsman because she thought she had been intimate with her boyfriend. Washington said she felt betrayed because she had been a loyal friend, giving her clothes, even helping her hide from Dixon and Culberson.

She chronicled what happened Aug. 26, 2012, during testimony that stretched more than two hours.

Washington was emotional, a stark contrast to Culberson, who maintained a mostly casual and disaffected demeanor earlier in the week while explaining her participation, which included lighting Fronsman on fire and walking away as she was engulfed in flames.

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The defense has depicted Culberson as the central figure in Fronsman’s death. That continued during cross examination of Washington. She said that Culberson was the driver and Washington followed her orders. And she admitted that she was scared of Culberson at times.

“I just did what I was told,” Washington said of her role.

“Who told you? asked Isabella Dixon, a defense attorney who is not related to the man on trial.

“KC,” Washington answered.

DIXON’S INVOLVEMENT

Washington said that Dixon was not innocent, beating Fronsman in the head while the foursome rode in a 1996 Chevy Tahoe from Canton to the Tri-Valley recreation area along Route 208 in Muskingum County. Culberson had picked out the spot, Washington said.

In past interviews with police, Washington said, she minimized her own involvement. Even in court Friday, Washington said that Dixon and Culberson played a larger part in Fronsman’s murder.

Washington said she and Dixon carried Fronsman from the vehicle across the road. Then Dixon alone dragged Fronsman — whose hands were tied — into the tall grass and brush, according to Washington, who, like Culberson and Fronsman, worked the streets of Canton as a prostitute and smoked crack regularly.

Culberson soaked Fronsman with gasoline, then set her ablaze, Washington testified.

“Her body just went poof in flames,” Washington said. “... You can hear her begging for help ... moaning (and) crying.”

Earlier that morning, Washington had joined some of the beatings and helped to strangle the victim with a strap. “I pulled one end and LaFonse pulled the other,” Washington said. “And we choked her with the strap until she was purple in the face.”

Isabella Dixon hammered away at the falsehoods Washington admitted telling during police interviews as well as in her plea agreement.

Many times, the attorney emphasized the word, “lie,” drawing it out. She highlighted how, in two police interviews, Washington failed to mention Dixon.

Particular importance was placed on the agreement reached with the state. The plea deal is “based on lies?” the attorney asked.

“Yes, ma’am,” Washington replied.

“And they accepted it anyway? Isabella Dixon asked.

“Yes, ma’am,” the witness said.

“Because they didn't know if you were lying or not?” the attorney said, raising her voice.

“Yes, ma’am.”

BLOOD AND FINGERPRINTS

Also Friday, the prosecution called on investigators with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

Blood was found in the back seat area of the Chevy Tahoe. The vehicle had been cleaned and wiped down, but Josh Durst, with the BCI’s major crimes division, said he was able to find blood in the seams of the back seat and some other areas.

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Robin Ladd, who specializes in fingerprint analysis, said that none of the prints found belonged to Dixon.

Jurors also heard from a prosecution witness who testified to seeing Monica Washington at a Circle K gas station in Dresden the morning of Aug. 26, 2012. The witness said that a broad-shouldered black man, with a hair style similar to Dixon’s, was inside the SUV when Washington got back inside.

However, the witness did not identify the man he saw as Dixon. The prosecution did not ask him to do so.